Its still up in the air whether the two canneries, StarKist and Samoa Tuna Processors, will be subject to the Customs scanner fees which go into effect December 14.
Cannery officials have been making inquiries with the Governor’s Office on the issue after being informed that the Customs Chief remains set on charging the scanner fees on all imports for commercial use.
The canneries are currently exempt from paying excise taxes.
According to Chief of Customs Moetului Sipiuli Fuiava, the law authorizing the scanner fees does not provide any exemptions.
He told KHJ News as much in an interview late last month.
KHJ News has learned that StarSkist officials have raised the matter with Governor Lolo Moliga.
When asked last week if he has been asked to present a legal opinion on the applicability of the scanner fees on the canneries with their tax exemption certificate, Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale said he had not been asked.
